IFTTT – What is IFTTT and How to Build IFTTT Recipes

Get to know the IFTTT and easily create connections between websites and social networks

IFTTT stands for “If This Then That”, and is a Web, Android and iOS service that allows you to create powerful connections with a simple “if this happens, then do that” statement. It combines two accounts from different websites or social networks to work together, something very similar to programming languages, but that works quite easily.

All you have to do to get started is to create an account and then activate your channels, which are services like Facebook, Gmail, Twitter as well as devices like Philips Hue, Belkin WeMo and GE Appliances.

Once you’ve enabled channels, you can start creating your “recipes.” IFTTT recipes are the connections between channels that unlock your services and devices in totally new ways to communicate with each other.

A practical example, given by the IFTTT website itself, is: “If you take a picture on Instagram, then save it automatically on my Dropbox.” You only perform the first task, triggering the second, which is automated by the IFTTT.

With the IFTTT service, you can save news from Google Reader in “Read It Later” to read the content while offline; Publish your new YouTube videos as WordPress posts; Post a message on Twitter as soon as you like/favorite a song on Soundcloud; Update your profile photo on Twitter as soon as you change your Facebook profile photo… In short, you can create many other “recipes” and automate your social life in different services, using a trigger event.

The IFTTT supports more than 67 online services, and to make it even easier, it has an iOS app that lets you work your account right from your iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone. The best part of all this? The service and the app are totally free! Simply download IFTTT and “begin automating”!

Our opinion

The great merit of the IFTTT service is that it is extremely easy to understand and use, and even supports dozens of applications and services. This makes it unique in this type of task, as it is quite comprehensive and complete. Besides, it has an excellent and clear interface, which allows us to use the service quickly and spending little time in understanding and adapting to the tool.

Despite the focus on online services, this tool also deals with real-world objects such as electronic devices. It is precisely in this respect that it stands out with great possibilities of practical application. However, some automations may take longer than others to take effect, which may frustrate users’ enthusiasm for the tool. Another downside is that no warning signal occurs when a channel is disabled, even if it is being used in a current recipe.

Pros

Extremely easy to understand and use.

Supports dozens of applications and services

Excellent and clear interface

Has great potential for practical application in the real world through integration with devices

It’s FREE!

Cons

Some automations take longer than others to take effect

No alerts or notifications if a channel is turned off despite being used on a current recipe

IFTTT is a very powerful tool that has become the ally of people who work with the Internet and also of social network enthusiasts, those who stay connected all day and use the most diverse services. Managing so many connections, so many applications, services and social networks can be very difficult and tiring when you are the one to do it all. However, IFTTT is a service that has come to make your life easier online and make you much more present on the Internet, more connected and updated. If you do not know how to use IFTTT or need further help managing your social media, feel free to reach out to our team. We would love to help!